[2] The ship, and sister Jason, were built on the patented Isherwood System of longitudinal framing with propulsion machinery in the stern.

[1] Orion was at Colón in the Canal Zone when the United States entered World War I in April 1917.

Returning briefly to Hampton Roads, Orion departed again on 18 August and carried coal and drafts of men to Bahia, Brazil for further transfer to Frederick, Mount Baker, and Glacier.

During the fall she served on the east coast from Norfolk to Boston, then, in January 1918, joined the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS).

[1] After the end of the war and the completion of a coal run to France, Orion returned to the United States, and on 5 February 1919 was detached from NOTS and assigned to duty with the Atlantic Fleet.

Struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 10 July 1931, she was sold to the Union Ship Building Co., Baltimore, Maryland on 30 August 1933.